Oral health survey on graduating senior high school students in Shannan Prefecture of Tibet

HOU Rui; WU Fang; XIAO Gao; YANG Wen-bing; WEI Yin-hua

Abstract：Objective To investigate oral health status of graduating senior high school students of Zang nationality in Shannan Prefecture of Tibet,and to provide basis for prevention of local oral diseases. Methods Based on 3rd national oral health survey project and WHO methodology of oral health survey,totally 1907 students were checked on caries, periodontitis,dental fluorosis,and oral hygiene status. With questionnaire the students' oral health practice,present situ-ation of oral medical service,and need of oral health service were investigated. Results It showed that mean DMFT was 0.97 and caries prevalence rate was 39.96%in students of Zang nationality. In community periodontal index,the detec-tion rates of gingivitis and dental calculus were 59.50%and 62.64%. Oral hygiene index-simplified was 0.69,with 0.36 and 0.33 in debris index-simplified and calculus index-simplified. Community dental fluorosis index was 0.29,with 8.13%in prevalence rate. The questionnaire showed that students had poor oral health practice and lower needs for oral health service. The local area had also poor oral medical service. Conclusion Students of Zang nationality in plateau ar-eas have higher prevalence of oral diseases and lower oral health perception. Oral health education and local dentists training should be strengthened and improved so as to get effective prevention for oral diseases.